TAB Book Review: The Wanderer

The Wanderer by Sharon Creech is a beautiful story of identity told in diary entries. Sophie has always loved the sea. She has three parts to her personality. The dreamy side, the logical side and the stubborn, impulsive side which is the one she uses to convince her family to let her get on a boat and sail to England with them. Leaving her parents behind, Sophie gets on her uncle’s boat named The Wanderer with her three uncles and two cousins. At first only Uncle Dock appreciates Sophie. Uncle Stew and his son Brian are super organized and constantly make lists and get on everyone’s nerves by bossing them around. Sophie’s uncle, Mo, doesn’t do much besides yell at his son Cody and sit around drawing. Cody, writing the other half of the book as a homework assignment, is “charming in a dangerous sort of way.” He fights a lot with his dad but makes a lot of jokes. He purposely mixes up sailing terms and everyone wonders if he can ever be serious.

As they sail to England, Sophie struggles to accept her past and Cody wonders if he can prove himself to his dad.

This exciting story is full of mystery and adventure as these wonderful characters and Newbery Award-winning author will take you on a journey you won’t forget.